Knotless Suture Anchor Tensioning for Stronger Tissue Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical fixation systems rely on stuffing and friction mechanisms for tissue repair, which can lead to mechanical disadvantages and require complex knot-tying, limiting the strength and stability of the repair.
Innovation Solution
A tensionable, knotless surgical construct using a flexible coupler and shuttle/pull devices that create multiple passes through tissue and the fixation device, forming self-locking, adjustable loops without knots, enhancing fixation strength and tissue compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional stuffing and friction mechanisms are used for tissue repair, then fixation can be achieved, but the repair strength and stability are limited and complex knot-tying is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the knot-tying step from the tissue repair process by using a knotless anchor construct. The suture is passed through the anchor body multiple times to create friction-based fixation without requiring traditional knot formation, thereby maintaining repair strength while removing the complexity of knot-tying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fixation mechanism into multiple discrete passes of the suture through the anchor body, creating multiple friction engagement points. This segmentation allows the suture to be tensioned independently at each pass, achieving cumulative fixation strength without requiring a single complex knot structure
2Reliability
If traditional friction mechanisms are used, then fixation can be achieved, but the resistance to loosening is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-passing the suture through the anchor body multiple times before final tensioning. This creates pre-established friction engagement points that resist loosening, and the suture can be tensioned to achieve the desired fixation strength without compromising the friction-based resistance to loosening
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the suture to be tensioned and adjusted after initial passage through the anchor. The suture can be dynamically tensioned to achieve optimal fixation strength while the multiple passes maintain friction-based resistance to loosening, creating a dynamic balance between these two requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides increased fixation strength and tissue compression without knots, allowing for adjustable tension and improved resistance to loosening, suitable for various surgical procedures including endoscopic surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible coupler (repair suture) is passed around tissue two or more times (and subsequently through the cannulation of the anchor sheath two or more times) creating a stuffed friction effect
Data Source
AI summary
Tensionable, knotless, self-locking surgical constructs and methods for surgical repairs are disclosed. A tensionable, knotless, self-locking surgical construct includes a flexible coupler (repair suture) and a plurality of shuttle/pull devices loaded onto a fixation device. The fixation device can be a knotless fixation device such as a knotless soft anchor, for example, an all-suture knotless anchor. The knotless surgical construct provides multiple passes of the flexible coupler itself (repair suture itself), to achieve the desired friction and to also create a reverse purchase resistance to loosening. The flexible coupler (repair suture) is passed around tissue two or more times (and subsequently through the cannulation of the anchor sheath two or more times) creating a stuffed friction effect. There is no cinching loop in the final repair.